Fish Reports

Unsafe ice with open water in the north lake and the extreme south end of the lake that is fishable.  However, the ice has come back to cover more of the lake, but it is still unsafe.  Anglers report catching limits in the open water using worms, though PowerBait should also work.  Fly fishermen should be using wooly buggers, prince nymphs, damsel fly nymphs, hares

As of last week Illipah Reservoir was starting to open up with open water along the western and eastern shorelines.  With the warmer temperatures and the wind on Thursday, it should have opened up quite a bit more.  The best angling opportunities are going to be from the western shoreline.   Fishing off the receding ice edge could produce quality trout.  The reservoir is sitting at

Trout are taking a variety of PowerBaits. Many anglers are catching the fish with night crawlers fished off of points in the Big Bend area. Seasonal trout plants are slated to end next month. Anglers are reporting slow striper bites along this stretch of the river.  

Reports have been light from the main body of the lake. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are in pre-spawn and can be found in coves, around shelves and near drop offs. For anglers fishing out of Willow Beach, striper action continues to improve. Trout imitations, such as the AC Plug and other swimbaits, have worked well for stripers. Stocked rainbows will take night crawlers, PowerBait, spinners

Despite the wide variety of baits anglers are using, rainbow trout have been hesitant to take the hook. As the waters continue to warm, expect less activity from the trout. Bluegill and catfish will become increasingly active and more willing to respond as temperatures rise.

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are moving up in preparation for the spawn. In the Overton Arm, anglers are catching the fish with crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps in coves and near drop-offs. Murky water seems to be the key. Anglers also are using a variety of plastic worms and swimbaits in greens and sliver colors for black bass. Catfish are starting to bite on anchovies fished at

 Flows remain steady with an increase of flow coming out of Boca but overall hasn’t changed much. Use Your WINTER Techniques. With the current flows and water temps, one will start looking to fish SLOWER water now. Trout this time of year, with the water flow being MODERATE and COLD, will be found in the usual places such as seams behind large boulders, back eddies,

Action is improving for striped bass and catfish. Most catfish are averaging 2 to 3 pounds while stripers are a in the 1- to 2-pound ranges. Schooling stripers are showing their talent for bait stealing. If they are getting the better of you, try switching to a smaller hook size to increase the odds of getting a hook up. Rainbow trout are biting on mice

Fishing continues to improve. Smallmouth and largemouth bass are being caught near submerged brush at the edges of coves, and it appears that some fish already are exhibiting some pre-spawn behavior. Anchovies and night crawlers are a good bet for catfish. White Rooster Tails are bringing in rainbow trout below Willow Beach for shoreline anglers as well as boaters.    

Student anglers from Cozine Elementary School found good fishing at Floyd Lamb Park following the recent trout plant by the Nevada Department of Wildlife. The kids caught and released around 20 fish. They caught the fish with Power Eggs in rainbow and chartreuse with garlic flavor. The kids used size 10 hooks with sliding egg sinkers and fished off the bottom.  

Black bass action is picking up. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass are taking silver colored swimbaits and soft plastic baits in watermelon or pumpkin.  Crankbaits and shad imitations may be the ticket for striped bass. While boat anglers are dominating the catch, shoreline anglers have been doing well in the Overton Arm and Government Wash

The Topaz Lodge Derby will continue until April 15th. The results for week 9 was something that has not happened in the derby That I can recall. David Peterson from Carson City NV took first place with a tagged 5.11 lb   23 inch trout, David also took second place with a 3.15 lb 21 inch trout.. Week 10 first place was Ryan Terry with a